The government has told the Rajya Sabha that one-third of children under five years of age attending Anganwadis have stunted growth. State Women and Child Development Minister Savitri Thakur said that 7.54 crore children up to five years of age are included in Angalwadis and nutrition trackers.
After examining the growth parameters of 7.31 crore children, it has been observed that 38.9 percent children have stunted growth. 17 percent are underweight and 5.2 percent children are not less than standard height. Reduction in height and weight or stunted growth are all related to malnutrition. This condition is caused by an imbalance between a person’s nutritional intake and the person’s energy. Investigations have found that this level of malnutrition is seen even in children up to six years of age.
In 2021, 16.1 crore children of this age group were in Anganwadis. 8.55 crores were investigated
In the year 2021, 16.1 crore children of this age group were registered in Anganwadis. The findings show that 37 percent of these 8.55 crore children are stunted. 17 percent children are underweight. The ministry has a portal called Nutrition Tracker. That digital platform monitors the results of the services provided in Anganwadi centres. A child of a certain age whose height falls below the standard is considered dwarf.
